Faulty XUV 500 - Caused mishap on National Highway

October 2016: Purchased a Mahindra XUV500

November 2016: Rear wheel, axle and suspension breaks while vehicle is in motion on NH4 (National Highway 4 : approx 50 kms fromKolhapur). The vehicle spins out of control and jumps onto the opposite lane into oncoming traffic. Miraculously nobody was hurt. The vehicle is taken to Kolhapur Service Station for investigation. (can’t mention the 7 hour ordeal we went through to get the tow truck sent by Mahindra 24/7 Road Assistance – their tag line is “With you hamesha”)

December 2016: Investigation is still in progress.

January 2017: Investigation is still in progress after more than 45 days.

Received a response from Mahindra stating: “our team has observed, nail pierced in the rear right tyre. Thus slow air loss started from tyre causing spinning of the vehicle. Due to high momentum, vehicle banged on the road separator & jumped over the same. Hope this information is adequate to answer your query.” And they call this a SUV and claim that its built to withstand a rocky terrain, off road vehicle, good for mountain expeditions, etc. How does slow air loss in the tyre cause vehicles to spin??? Really, how???

I have been asking them for a detailed report of the investigation but even today I have been told that this one liner is all they can provide but they will try to get the report from their R&D Team.

I sent them pictures of the vehicle at the time of the accident. There was absolutely no impact of any kind and no dents. There was no road separator or rocks that the vehicle banged into.

I am asked to approve my insurance for repairs to start – Total cost Rs.2 Lakhs – insurance will cover Rs.1.5 Lakhs and the rest will go out of my pocket.

The vehicle is still with the company and I am paying EMI’s for it. Investigation is carried on at my expense. Great going Mahindra! Live young, live free!